The meeting was
called to order by Mayor Tipton with the Reverend Darrell Bailey leading in
prayer. Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve the draft copy of the
minutes of the November 19, 2009 council meeting with no changes. Councilman
Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Councilman
Myrick made a motion to approve the agenda for the December 3, 2009 meeting with
no changes. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six
affirmative votes.

Councilman
Strozier stated that the City of Bloomingdale had been recognizing an
“Outstanding Citizen of the Year” at the Patriotic Celebration for several
years, but since that event was not held this year, the award would be presented
tonight. Councilman Strozier announced the recipient of the 2009 Outstanding
Citizen of the Year was the Reverend Darrell Bailey. He informed everyone that
Reverend Bailey has served as the Chaplin of the Bloomingdale Police Department
for several years. Councilman Strozier also stated that Reverend Bailey was
instrumental in helping to distribute funds generated by a barbeque benefit held
by the City to families affected by the terrorist attacks in New York City on
September 11, 2001. Reverend Bailey expressed his appreciation to the Mayor and
City Council for the award. Mayor Tipton noted that Reverend Bailey was very
involved in the Community Benevolence program that provided assistance to local
citizens as well as travelers in times of need.

During
administrative and committee reports Councilman Strozier reported that the
bio-system purchased by the City to help eliminate the odor at the lift station
would be delivered next Wednesday. He pointed out that the manufacturer had
indicated it would take about 7 or 8 days before the system would be fully
operational.

OLD BUSINESS:

Mayor Tipton
recognized Paul Scott, the agent for property owned by Ron Walker, who presented
information to council regarding the rezoning of a 47-acre tract on Hwy 80 from
C-1/R-A to C-1/C-2. It was noted that the Planning Commission had presented
their recommendation for approval of the request with stipulations at the
November 19, 2009 meeting, but, at the request of the developer, council action
had been postponed until tonight. Mr. Scott advised council that the property
would be developed as a business park with restrictions on the type businesses
that would be allowed. Some of those not allowed are bars, electric power
yards, bulk gas storage, fish/meat wholesale businesses, taxidermist, fuel oil
storage, and laundry plants. Mr. Scott noted that another stipulation agreed to
by the developer was to limit the size of the buildings to a maximum of 10,000
sq. ft. per acre up to a 3 acre tract with a maximum of 35,000 sq. ft of
buildings on tracts over 3 acres. Councilwoman Winn stated that the design was
to include a means of access in the front and back of the property to the
adjoining property to the east to provide connectivity for future development.
Citizen Dennis Baxter pointed out that stipulations for approval of the rezoning
should include the installation of a traffic light in the future, at the
developer’s expense, should traffic warrant the device. Mr. Baxter also
commented that the site plan should include a higher berm with vegetation for
the residential property to the west and questioned why there was no buffer
shown to the east of the development since that property was also zoned
residential. Mr. Scott stated that the developer felt that since the property
to the east was not yet developed, that any buffer between that property and
their development should be at the expense of future developers. Mr. Scott also
pointed out that the Department of Transportation would make the determination
as to if and when a traffic light would be needed, but they had no objections to
bearing this expense. Citizen Jerry Crosby asked if the development would have
overhead or underground electrical service. Mr. Scott stated he did not know at
this time, but felt sure the preference would be for underground power. Citizen
William McCarty questioned whether the City had enough water and/or sewer
capacity. Mayor Tipton stated that the developer indicated their need would be
approximately 28,000 gpd and there was sufficient capacity at this time to serve
the development. Citizen Barbara Griffin stated that at the public hearing
there had been a question raised about one resident not being notified of the
hearing and asked if that had been cleared up. Mayor Tipton advised her that
the notice had been sent to the owner of the property as required. After this
discussion, Councilwoman Winn made a motion to accept the recommendation from
the Planning Commission to rezone the 47-acre tract on Highway 80 as requested
with the following stipulations: 1) The construction of a berm with vegetation
on the west side of the property with the size and height to be included on the
site plans; 2) To provide access at the front and back of the property on the
east side of the tract for connectivity to adjoining properties so vehicles will
not have to get back on Highway 80 to travel between properties; 3) To provide
for a traffic light on Highway 80 at the developers expense as the need is
determined by the DOT; and 4) Enter into a water/sewer infrastructure agreement
with the City of Bloomingdale. Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it
passed with six affirmative votes. Attorney Dickey pointed out that stipulation
#’s 1-3 could be included in the water/sewer infrastructure agreement.

Mayor Tipton
presented to council the bid that had been received on the surplus compressor.
The bid had been received from William Taylor in the amount of $310.00.
Councilman Myrick made a motion to sell the generator to Mr. Taylor for $310.00,
Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Councilman Strozier abstained from voting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Council
discussed the setting of the Occupational License fees for 2010. It was noted
that the base rate for Occupational Licenses was increased in 2008 from $25 to
$50 with plans to increase the base rate by $25 per year in 2009 and 2010;
however, council did not increase the base rate in 2009. Council also discussed
whether new businesses purchasing occupational licenses in December, 2009 could
be issued 2010 licenses. After a brief discussion in which council agreed that
any changes in the current rates should be initiated by the new council,
Councilman Myrick made a motion to set the 2010 Occupational License fees the
same as those charged in 2009. Councilman Myrick’s motion also included
allowing those new business purchasing occupational licenses in December, 2009
to be issued 2010 licenses provided they signed a memorandum agreeing to pay any
increase in the fees that may be imposed by the new council for 2010
Occupational License fees and existing businesses purchasing their 2010 licenses
in December, 2009 be required to sign the same memorandum. Councilman Ray
seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Mayor Tipton
stated that Attorney Dickey had some information regarding the SAVE program to
present to council. Attorney Dickey explained that the council needed to
approve a Memorandum of Agreement with SAVE (federal Systematic Alien
Verification for Entitlements Program) to comply with State Law O.C.G.A. §
50-36-1. The program requires cities to verify that applicants for certain
“public benefits” are legally present in the United States. The public benefits
include, but may not be limited to, the issuance of occupational tax
certificates, alcoholic beverage licenses, taxicab licenses as well as contracts
authorized by City Charter. In addition, any individual receiving benefits from
the City such as retirement, health or disability, must also provide
verification of their citizenship. This relatively new Georgia law requires
that the cities must have anyone applying for or eligible for the public
benefits as stated, complete a status application. If a non-citizen receives or
applies for a City public benefit, they must provide their Alien Registration
number on the application and the City must report this information to SAVE.
Citizen Mike Hargrove asked if there would be a cost to the City to participate
in the program. Attorney Dickey stated that participation was mandatory,
however, the only expense would be the additional time it would take to have the
forms completed for current officials and employees and during the application
process for employment, contracts, and/or licenses. Councilman Ray made a
motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement with SAVE as presented by Attorney
Dickey. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six
affirmative votes.

The Mayor
reported that council needed to discuss whether to hold the second meeting in
December. After a brief discussion, Councilman Rawlings made a motion to cancel
the December 17, 2009 council meeting. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion
and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Council was
advised that the clerks working in City Hall and the maintenance personnel were
requesting permission to use their leave time to be closed on Christmas Eve
which falls on Thursday this year. Councilman Myrick made a motion to allow the
offices and the maintenance department to be closed on Christmas Eve provided
employees used leave time as payment for the time off. Councilwoman Winn
seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Councilman
Myrick extended his appreciation to the elected officials who were leaving
office this year and thanked them for all the help they had been to him and for
their many years of service to the City of Bloomingdale.

Mayor Tipton
stated an executive session had been called for discussion of land acquisition
and personnel issues. Councilman Myrick made a motion to adjourn into executive
session, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative
votes. At the conclusion of the executive session, Councilwoman Winn made a
motion to return to the general session and execute the signed affidavit as
required by the Open Records Act. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it
passed with six affirmative votes. Mayor Tipton reported that council had
reviewed bids received by the City from independent contractors to perform the
duties of the Land Disturbing Activities inspection officer and perform all
building inspections required for construction permits issued within the City
limits of Bloomingdale. The Mayor stated that there were two bids received.
One bid did not meet the requirements of the bid notice and the other bid was
from City Council-elect Dennis Baxter. Councilman Myrick made a motion to enter
into an agreement with Dennis Baxter to perform the duties as outlined in the
bid notice for the fees as he proposed, Councilman Strozier seconded the motion
and it passed with six affirmative votes.

The accounts
payable were presented for consideration with Councilman Ray making a motion to
pay the bills. Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six
affirmative votes.

Being no further
business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 7:45pm with a standing
ovation from all present in acknowledgment of his 35+ years of service to the
City. Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative
votes.

Respectfully
submitted, Sandra Jones, City Clerk

Mayor Tipton and
all council members were present at the meeting.

Note: Section § 50-14-1 of the
Official Code of the State of Georgia Annotated requires that the minutes shall,
as a minimum, include a description of each motion or other proposal made, and a
record of all votes. These minutes meet the minimum requirements. However, in
an attempt to provide as much information as possible to the citizens, the
recording clerk has included additional background data and discussion on the
subjects presented to council. The statements of individuals are not verbatim
and may be summary in nature.